I take this opportunity to convey my expressions at the important occasion of World Population Day 2004, which is celebrated in commemoration of 11th July 1987 when the population of the planet earth reached 5 billion.
In 1994 United Nations passed a resolution to celebrate 11th July each year as 'World Population Day', when International Conference on Population & Development (ICPD) - 1994 was being held at Cairo (Egypt). The purpose of the day celebration is to make the masses aware about gravity of rapid population growth and its implications on socio-economic development of the country.
It is, however, reassuring to know that as a nation we are becoming more and more aware about the need to curb the rate of population growth through family planning.
The topic of the year 'ICPD at 10' evaluates our change of life style in the decade 1994-2004 with the developing countries of the world in general and this region in particular.
The evidence shows that we have also improved our life style with electro developing world. We are not only the integral and important partners of computer world but also the revolutionary steps in social sectors have developed the rural communities.
The media in this decade has played an important role in creating awareness in the masses on population and its related socio-economic issues. With the result the Contraceptive Use Rate increased from 14 % to 28 % as well as Population Growth Rate declined from 2.9 % to 1.9 % per annum.
I also congratulate Population Welfare Programme and its stakeholders for reducing Population Growth Rate at 1.9 %, which target was fixed by the Honourable President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
In spite of several successes in socio-economic development, still the legislation and policy makers have to form such rules & regulations, policies and strategies to dispel gender discrimination to save women from Karo Kari and likewise other social taboos. We have to ensure education for girls, access to reproductive health and family planning as well as other basic amenities.
The managers and service providers of Population Welfare Programme are urged to work more effectively and efficiently to cope with the future challenges.
Each and every personnel in public and private sector should be a crusader in performance of duties.
I wish them all success.